On the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi's clarion call to action — Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath — the nation united at 8:00 am in an unprecedented hour of Shramdaan, demonstrating collective resolve towards Swachh Bharat. As part of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 campaign (17^th Sept. to 2^nd Oct.), jointly organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), crores of citizens offered voluntary shramdaan, reinforcing the spirit of jan andolan under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).

Beginning at 8:00 AM, citizens from every corner of the country united for a historic hour of voluntary Shramdaan. Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal led the Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath in Chandigarh, offering shramdaan at the Sector 22 Market near Kiran Theatre. Union Minister, MoJS, Shri CR Paatil offered shramdaan at Kalindi Kunj Ghat, Okhla Barrage, New Delhi. Various Union Ministers participated in the ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ initiative, offering shramdaan from designated locations across different parts of their respective cities. MoS, MoHUA, Shri Tokhan Sahu actively participated in the nationwide Swachhata Shramdaan by offering voluntary service at Bilaspur’s Ratanpur, in Chhattisgarh.

This remarkable nationwide initiative saw enthusiastic participation from a diverse spectrum of society, including local bodies, gram panchayats, political leadership, regional department offices, lead organizations, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), NGOs and citizens from all walks of life.

Over a week into the campaign, SHS 2025 has evolved into a true people’s movement, powered by citizen action, community participation, and a shared resolve to strengthen the Swachh Bharat Mission. Focused efforts have been directed at transforming the most challenging and neglected areas – Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs), eliminating garbage vulnerable points, and ensuring the cleanliness of public spaces. Over 5 crore citizens have joined the SHS 2025 campaign, resulting in the cleaning of nearly 7 lakh CTUs and 3 lakh public spaces.

Under the Clean Public Spaces initiatives, Mira Bhayandar held mega cleanliness drives with 4,000+ students, NGOs, SHGs & citizens, promoting plastic waste reduction, health initiatives & sustainable practices. India Coast Guard Region NE led cleanups across Odisha & West Bengal, where 2,500+ volunteers collected 1,960 kg of marine litter and 1,050 kg of plastic waste.

As Swachhotsav enters its festive phase, the focus has shifted to sustainability, with communities across India adopting zero-waste and plastic-free practices. From eco-friendly Puja pandals using sustainable decorations to the beautifully adorned Vaishno Devi in Katra with floral arrangements during Navratri, celebrations are reflecting a strong commitment to Clean Green Festivities. In Rajkot, the spirit of Swachhata came alive through a vibrant Rangoli festival.

Union Minister Shri C.R. Patil felicitated 6,000 sanitation workers in Surat, announcing a ₹10 crore welfare fund, while cities like Navi Mumbai, Ujjain, and Raigarh hosted health camps and Swachhata runs, with over 2,600 participants in Raigarh and 15,000 in Indore pledging for cleanliness.

NIT Jamshedpur unveiled a ‘Make in India’ Lion made from 1,090 kg of scrap, taking its total scrap art to 2,360 kg, as the Ministry of Railways held ‘Waste to Art’ exhibitions nationwide. Tirupati Municipal Corporation also contributed to urban greening by planting 500 trees, distributing 30,000 saplings, and 25,000 compost bags.

SHS 2025 continues to showcase how collaborative action - across ministries, municipalities, institutions, and individuals is reshaping the nation’s sanitation landscape.

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